Expert: Kevin Stohlmeyer - 9/12/2008

Question
QUESTION: I've a logo that is a circle with a one color (pantone) to white gradient.
I put the filter 'inner glow' over it so that it looks like a button. The printer does
print the gradient but not the inner glow?
I can only see one pantone color and if i check the colors, by importing it in
Indesign I can only see the pantone color!

ANSWER: Hi Tarsus,

Check the color you are using on the inner glow effect. Looking at your file  you submitted, there is no inner glow on it at all, hence why it is not printing. Also most effects are set up as CMYK colors so if spot colors are necessary, be sure to set them up. An inner glow consists of a lighter color (normally white - for some reason AI default is black which does not work) and set to lighten or multiply blending.

Thanks

Kevin



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Kevin,
Did you have a good holiday? Glad you're back.
You're so helpful but I can't come tot the solution yet.
If I check the inner glow color, I can't select the Pantone color that I want to
print. For printing it gives me only the CMYK options.
I made a document (see attachment) with the two objects that I want to
combine. If the white color would be transparant, it would work out as well.
Do you have an other tip for me?
Gr
Paul

ANSWER: Hi Paul,

When you go to print make sure you do not have "convert to CMYK" clicked in the separations dialogue box. This will always convert your PMS to CMYK.

As for the effects, in order to select your pantone color, you must have them added to your swatches palette. You can select them in the color picker by clicking the "color swatches" button in the picker and scrolling down to your color.

You also need to match the blending mode with the proper color ie. darker colors should be set to multiply, darken, etc. and lighter colors should be set to screen or lighten in order for them to show up properly.

Im a little confused by the sample you've attached. I only see one green pantone color in the entire document. If you are trying to create a glow with the same color as the object, then nothing will show up. You cannot screen or multiply a glow by the same color. You will have to create your glow with a second color.

The solution to creating this image would be to create the first shape with the gradient white/green fill and then apply the inner glow effect.

Thanks

Kevin



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Kevin,
You're clear about picking the color out of my swatch. That's what I did
before. You're also clear, that the inner glow effect uses a second color. By
saying that you made clear that inner glow is not the right effect for printing
at all. That's what I thought anyway.
So let's leave the effect and find a better solution. Back to what I want and
how to get this result. Hopefully this attachment makes clear what I want. So
the question is: 'how would you make the object (as shown on top of my
attachement), if you had to print it in one Pantone color?

Thanks again,
Paul

Answer
Hi Paul,

The solution is closer than you think. First, take the white highlight circle and make sure it is behind the "inner glow" circle. Then take the "inner glow circle" and align it on top of the other one. Change its transparency to darken and viola! The pantone outline adds to the white areas only and does not multiply or change the PMS.

Thanks!

Kevin